In the first beta of iOS 18.4, the Wallet app introduced a feature called “Subscriptions & Payments.” However, with the latest update, this section has been rebranded to “Preauthorized Payments,” placing a clearer emphasis on payments that have been authorized in advance.
This menu now displays merchants that have permission to charge your Apple Pay account for various services, including subscriptions, automatic top-ups, and recurring bills. For instance, if you regularly use Apple Pay to add funds to a transit card or to pay for a gym membership, these transactions will be visible in the newly named section of the Wallet app.
The shift from “Subscriptions & Payments” to “Preauthorized Payments” demonstrates Apple’s understanding that the former terminology could be misleading. Despite this improvement in clarity, users still have to manage recurring payments across different areas, rather than having a centralized view.
To check subscriptions, users can still navigate through the App Store or the Settings on their iPhone. This method is typically faster — simply by tapping on the Apple Account section at the top of the Settings page.
Here, users can access a detailed list of all active subscriptions and their renewal dates. While the update to the Wallet app represents a positive move towards simplifying the tracking of recurring payments, there remains potential for further enhancement.
A unified platform that consolidates subscription details would allow users to see their complete monthly spending on services like Apple TV and Netflix in one place. This would not only streamline the management of finances but also save time.
In conclusion, the adjustments reflect Apple’s ongoing commitment to improving user experience through better financial tracking within their apps. However, there is room for further integration to enhance the user experience.